Anti-abortion campaigners are spreading graphic "propaganda" in
schools to shock children with images of foetal body parts and surgery,
teachers have claimed.

The Society for the Protection of Unborn Children, a “pro-life” campaign group, said it is being invited into secondary schools on an “almost daily basis”, with hundreds of visits taking place each year.

The society uses a series of what it acknowledges can be “shocking” photographs during lessons to pupils aged 14 and older.

But the group insisted that its presentations handled the issue “sensitively”, and gave warnings to teachers about the potentially disturbing content.

However, teachers, humanists and the Family Planning Association condemned the use of such images in schools.

John Lloyd, policy adviser to the Personal, Social and Health Education Association, a teaching group, said schools must not promote political views.

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“I could certainly look at this and say it is a form of propaganda,” he told the Times Educational Supplement. “We do not approve of shock and horror approaches.”

Julie Bentley, chief executive of the FPA, said the graphic presentations were used for “indoctrination”. “The whole tone is bullying and intimidating and it is inaccurate. It is entirely about shocking young people.”

However, Paul Tulley, SPUC general secretary, said the group’s speakers helped pupils understand the moral and medical issues involved in the abortion debate.

“Abortion is an issue that young people will become aware of as they grow up. It is taught in most secondary schools, but many pro-abortion groups, including some dubbed ‘sexual health charities’, wish to keep youngsters in the dark about the damage abortion does to the unborn child, to the mother, to the medical profession and to wider society,” he said.

The presentations can include “authentic images showing the effects of abortion if – and only if - teachers feel that it is suitable”, he said.

Typically this would be for pupils in their final GCSE year or in the sixth form. Sometimes 14 and 15-year olds receive SPUC presentations.

Andrew Copson, chief executive of the British Humanist Association, said: “Many parents will be shocked to discover that these groups have such a foothold in our education system. SPUC’s views are completely out of step with the majority of the public who have a liberal and progressive attitude to abortion.”